TEEN TAN BAN

In October 2012, the Springfield City Council voted to ban teens under age 18 from tanning in city limits. Pursued by Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman, the ban took effect in January and built on an existing state law that bans children under age 14 from tanning. While some proponents worried at the time that young people looking to tan would skirt the city ordinance by simply going outside city limits, that work-around may disappear soon. Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, co-sponsors House Bill 188, which would enact a ban similar to Springfield’s across the state. The bill passed a legislative committee by a vote of 11-4 on Tuesday, with Cahnman and Ward 9 Ald. Steve Dove submitting witness slips in support of the bill. If it becomes law, teens under age 18 would be banned from tanning in any UV tanning facility within the state, even if their parents approve. The bill exempts tanning at home and spray tanning, however, so teens will still be able to get that sun-kissed look – but hopefully not the alligator bag look.